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NavSource Online: Aircraft Carrier Photo Archive

Contributed by Mike Smolinski.

USS ENTERPRISE   (CVAN-65)
(later CVN-65)



Flag Hoist/Radio Call Sign: November - India - Quebec - Mike

Dont't Tread On Me

USS Enterprise (CVN-65) became the oldest active ship in the United States Navy upon the decommissioning of USS Kitty Hawk (CV-63) on 12 May 2009. Enterprise is only the third aircraft carrier to hold the honor of flying the First Navy Jack.


Secretary of the Navy Gordon R. England directed all U.S. Navy ships to fly the First Navy Jack in lieu of the Union Jack during the Global War on Terrorism (SECNAVINST 10520.6). Since 1977 only the oldest active commissioned ship, currently USS Enterprise, was authorized to fly it.



CLASS - ENTERPRISE
Displacement 75,700 Tons, Dimensions, 1101' 2" (oa) x 133' x 37' 1" (Max)
Armament None as built, fitted with Sea Sparrow in 1967.
Armor, Unknown.
Machinery, 280,000 SHP; 8 Westinghouse (A2W) Reactors driving geared turbines, 4 screws
Speed, 35+ Knots, Crew 5382.

Operational and Building Data
 Built by Newport News. Laid down 4 Feb 1958, launched 24 Sept 1960, commissioned 25 Nov 1961.

Complete reconstruction and refueling during RCOH at Newport News 12 October 1990 to 23 September 1994; additional updates required yard work through 1995.

A deactivation ceremony is scheduled for 1 December 2012, at Norfolk Naval Station (More Information). To be decommissioned mid-2013. Will be replaced by CVN-78.

Status:   Active, In Commission. Homeported at Norfolk, Va.


Click On Image 
For Full Size Image
Size Image Description Contributed
By And/Or Copyright
Construction
CVAN-65 Enterprise
NS026512
113k Enterprise taking shape in slipway #11, Newport News Shipbuilding.  USN
CVAN-65 Enterprise
NS0265ay
98k

The future USS Enterprise (CVAN-65) under construction, August 1960.

Ron Reeves
CVAN-65 Enterprise
NS026571d
82k

Enterprise (CVAN-65) was christened on Saturday, 24 September 1960.

Ron Reeves
CVAN-65 Enterprise
NS026571b
77k
CVAN-65 Enterprise
NS026571e
52k
CVAN-65 Enterprise
NS026571c
77k

Enterprise (CVAN-65) was sponsored by Mrs. William B. Franke, wife of the Secretary of the Navy.

CVAN-65 Enterprise
NS026571
173k

Christening Ceremony, September 24, 1960.

From "Shipyard Bulletin," Newport News Shipbuilding and Dry Dock Company, March 1961, Volume XX, Number 11.

John Shane (grandson of LCDR Louis Shane, Jr., KIA while commanding USS Shark (SS-174), approximately February 11, 1942)
CVAN-65 Enterprise
NS026571a
189k
SSBN-601 + CVAN-65 Enterprise
NS0860102
79k

Enterprise (CVAN-65) under construction at Newport News Shipbuilding and Dry Dock Co., late 1960 (background).

Submarine in the foreground is USS Robert E. Lee (SSBN-601), leaving Newport News for one of her sea trials.

US Navy photo courtesy of Newport News Shipbuilding and Dry Dock Co.
CVAN-65 Enterprise
NS0265av
90k

"UNITED STATES SHIP ENTERPRISE CVA(N) 65"
"First Nuclear Aircraft Carrier and World's Largest Ship"
"Built by the Newport News Shipbuilding and Dry Dock Company 1961"

Enterprise in October 1961 with three C-1 Traders parked aft on the flight deck. Official United States Navy photo by PHC Mowry.

Eugene Nelson
The 1960s and 70s
CVAN-65 Enterprise
NS026593a
144k

USS Enterprise (CVAN-65), February 10, 1962. Official USN photo #1059659, released from US Naval Photographic Center, US Naval Station, Anacostia, Washington 25, DC.

David Buell
CVAN-65 Enterprise
NS026593
210k

USS Enterprise (CVAN-65) underway, February 10, 1962. Official USN photo #1059660, released from US Naval Photographic Center, US Naval Station, Anacostia, Washington 25, DC.

David Buell
CVAN-65 Enterprise
NS09050604
328k Shasta (AE-6) and Enterprise (CVAN-65) during a Replenishment at Sea (RAS), 1962. US Navy photo from "All Hands" magazine, August 1962. Joe Radigan MACM USN Ret.
CVAN-65 Enterprise
NS026594
144k

USS Enterprise (CVAN-65) underway with Carrier Air Group 6 (CVG-6.) Official USN photo #1062601, received on October 22, 1962. Released from US Naval Photographic DMA, US Naval Station, Anacostia, Washington 25, DC.

David Buell
CVAN-65 Enterprise
NS0265ai
410k

USS Enterprise (CVAN-65) underway early in her career, circa 1962–1963.

Omar Rubido, former member of the Armada Española (Spanish Navy)
CVAN-65 Enterprise
NS026558
56k

Coming alongside USS Enterprise (CVAN-65) for refueling in the Atlantic, 1963. The Vogie, USS Vogelgesang (DD-862), was the first ship to refuel from Enterprise.

Robert King, GMG3, USS Vogelgesang
CVAN-65 Enterprise
NS0265bc
51k

Undated (circa 1963–64) pic of a camera-equipped Chance Vought RF-8A Crusader of VFP-62 launching from USS Enterprise (CVAN-65). Photo U.S. Navy.

Photo from United States Navy Aircraft since 1911, by Gordon Swanborough and Peter M. Bowers.

Robert Hurst
CVAN-65 Enterprise
NS0265ae
124k

USS Enterprise (CVAN-65) underway, escorted by the nuclear-powered guided-missile cruiser USS Long Beach (CGN-9), in 1963–1964.

Kenneth M. Crepeau
CVAN-65 Enterprise
NS026535
78k

Task Group of Nuclear-Powered Surface Ships operating in formation in the Mediterranean Sea, 18 June 1964. The ships are the aircraft carrier Enterprise (CVAN-65), at left; the guided-missile cruiser Long Beach (CGN-9), in center; and the guided-missile frigate Bainbridge (DLGN-25), at right. Enterprise crewmembers are spelling out Albert Einstein's equation for nuclear energy on the flight deck.

Official U.S. Navy Photograph (# KN-9027).

Scott Dyben
CVAN-65 Enterprise
NS026522
113k Operation Sea Orbit — On July 31, 1964, USS Enterprise (CVAN-65) (bottom), USS Long Beach (CGN-9) (center) and USS Bainbridge (DLGN-25) (top) formed "Task Force One," the first nuclear-powered Task Force, and were sent on a 30,565-mile, 65-day voyage around the world, reminiscent of that of the 16 battleships of the "Great White Fleet" in 1907-09. Accomplished without a single refueling or replenishment, Operation Sea Orbit demonstrated the capability of nuclear-powered surface ships to operate in remote areas at high speeds without logistic support.

(Several people have contributed this info. Thanks to Dave Dandrea; LCDR Tom Davis, USN (Ret); David Powell; and Chas Folcik).
USN photo
Operation Sea Orbit
NS04010914
84k

USS Enterprise (CVAN-65) underway in formation with USS Long Beach (CGN-9), center, and USS Bainbridge (DLGN-25), at top, probably in the Mediterranean Sea in June-July 1964. Members of Enterprise's crew are in a flight deck formation spelling out Albert Einstein's equation for nuclear energy. Planes on her flight deck include 9 A-5; 22 A-4; 10 F-4; 14 F-8 and 2 E-1 types. Those aft are parked in an arrowhead arrangement.

The photograph was released for publication on 30 July 1964, upon the commencement of Operation Sea Orbit, the circumnavigation of the World by Task Force One, made up of the Navy's first three nuclear-powered surface ships. (See also NS026522).

Official U.S. Navy Photograph, from the Collections of the Naval Historical Center (# NH 98108).

USN photo
CVAN-65 Enterprise
NS0265ao
32k

Steaming in the Mediterranean Sea, 1964.

Richard Allen, crew member May 1963 to October 1967
CVA-62 Independence, CVAN-65 Enterprise
NS026223
67k

USS Independence (CVA-62) (foreground) and USS Enterprise (CVAN-65) rendezvous in the Indian Ocean on 21 November 1965. Independence was en route to Norfolk, Virginia, after six months "on the line" off Vietnam. Enterprise was headed for combat duty in Vietnamese waters. Photographed by PH3 E.R. Pomponio.

Official U.S. Navy Photograph, from the collections of the Naval Historical Center. (# NH 97717).

NHC
CVAN-65 Enterprise
NS026508
85k Good view of bow area, with A-4 Skyhawks. USN
CVAN-65 Enterprise
NS026507
24k Overhead, showing flight deck detail. USN
CVAN-65 Enterprise
NS0265bg
96k

A Douglas EA-1F Skyraider, BuNo. 135010, of Airborne Early Warning Squadron (VAW) 13 "Zappers," Det. M, over the Gulf of Tonkin in 1966. VAW-13's Det. M deployed with Carrier Air Wing (CVW) 9 aboard the aircraft carrier USS Enterprise (CVAN-65), 26 October 1965–21 June 1966. U.S. Navy photo by Paul Selby.

Robert Hurst
CVAN-65 Enterprise
NS026565
73k USS Enterprise (CVAN-65) makes ready for night operations. Red floodlights on the mast illuminate an F-4B Phantom and flight deck crewmen working around it as they prepare to launch a night raid against North Vietnam, 5 April 1966. U.S. Navy photo by E. J. Filtz (K-31306). USN
CVAN-65 Enterprise
NS026515
31k Tonkin Gulf, May 25, 1966. Note helicopters reprovisioning her from AOE-1 Sacramento. Taken from Fred T. Berry (DD-858) © Richard Leonhardt
CVAN-65 Enterprise
NS026517
42k Tonkin Gulf, May 25, 1966. © Richard Leonhardt
CVAN-65 Enterprise
NS026516
33k Tonkin Gulf, June 7, 1966. © Richard Leonhardt
CVAN-65 Enterprise
NS026518
53k Tonkin Gulf, June 1966. © Richard Leonhardt
CVAN-65 Enterprise
NS026519
70k Tonkin Gulf, June 1966. Detail of Island. © Richard Leonhardt
CVAN-65 Enterprise
NS026520
54k Tonkin Gulf, June 1966. © Richard Leonhardt
CVAN-65 Enterprise
NS0265an
117k

USS Enterprise (CVAN-65) arrives in San Francisco Bay, 21 June 1966, after her first Vietnam Cruise.

"[...] 'the Golden Gate Bridge appeared through the morning haze.' Sliding 'through the mist' beneath the bridge the ship was welcomed by one of the largest celebrations given a vessel entering the bay since WWII."

"Traffic backed up on the bridge approaches for miles as crowds of 'cheering people with streamers and signs leaned out over the rails of the Golden Gate.' Whistles sounded and fireboats shot water geysers skyward as the ship steamed into the bay, mooring at NAS Alameda, city officials dedicating the day in honor of the ship. More than a third of the crew went on leave, the remainder taking advantage of 'the tremendously warm welcome' extended to them by the people of the area, with San Francisco, Oakland and Alameda proclaiming 21 June as 'Big E Day.'"

"CVW-9 [Carrier Air Wing 9] flew 20,076 sorties, 13,020 combat, 2 December 1965–5 June 1966, the wing proudly claiming that 'the queen of the seas was married to the king of the air wings,' made 19,131 catapult launches and 18,142 arrested landings, dropped 8,966 tons of ordnance, performed six helo rescues and spent 120 days on the line." (Quoted from DANFS, "Dictionary of American Naval Fighting Ships".)

If you have any information about the banner reading "VA-93 BLUE BOOZERS" and why it was displayed there, please let us know.

Photos © William T. Larkins. Used with permission.
CVAN-65 Enterprise
NS0265ana
198k
CVAN-65 Enterprise
NS0265anb
188k
CVAN-65 Enterprise
NS0265anc
250k
CVAN-65 Enterprise
NS0265and
281k
CVAN-65 Enterprise
NS0265ag
170k

USS Enterprise (CVAN-65) profile, circa 1966.

Courtesy of ©Windjammer-Arts Naval Art & Aviation Art
CVAN-65 Enterprise + YTB-783
NS140978301
109k

Redwing (YTB-783) assisting USS Enterprise (CVAN-65) at the San Francisco Naval Shipyard at Hunters Point, probably on 30 June 1966.

U.S. Navy photo from the San Francisco NARA, Hunters Point Historical Photo Collection.

Tracy White, Researcher @ Large
CVAN-65 Enterprise + YTB-783
NS140978302
67k
CVAN-65 Enterprise
NS0265ar
42k

Testing the catapult. Date unknown, but possibly taken in August 1966, when the angled-deck catapult bridle catcher was removed. Hunters Point files at San Bruno, file name MSR-64243-8-66.

Tracy White, Researcher @ Large
CVAN-65 Enterprise
NS0265al
162k

USS Enterprise (CVAN-65) departing Hunters Point Naval Shipyard in September 1966, after an overhaul. U.S. Navy photo, file name CVN 65 64478-9-66. The carrier in the background, beyond Big E's bow, is probably USS Hancock (CVA-19).

Darryl Baker
CVAN-65 Enterprise
NS0265bd
55k

Undated, but probably taken on the same occasion as photo 0265al, picture of USS Enterprise (CVAN-65). Hunters Point files at San Bruno, file name MSR-64479-9-66.

Tracy White, Researcher @ Large
CVAN-65 Enterprise
NS026509
96k

Port bow underway. Photo taken after the summer 1966 overhaul.

USN
CVAN-65 Enterprise
NS026511
144k

Underway with escorts, Air Wing has not yet joined up with the ship. Photo taken after the summer 1966 overhaul.

USN
CVAN-65 Enterprise
NS026554
154k Tonkin Gulf, within a few days of Christmas, 1966. Notice the Christmas tree in the hangar deck just behind the F-4. Photo taken from USS Ponchatoula (AO-148). Photo by Barry Litchfield,
USS Ponchatoula,
1966-1967
CVAN-65 Enterprise
NS026555
184k Tonkin Gulf, within a few days of Christmas, 1966. Photo taken from USS Ponchatoula (AO-148). Photo by Barry Litchfield,
USS Ponchatoula,
1966-1967
CVAN-65 Enterprise
NS091914825
48k USS Ponchatoula (AO-148) during underway replenishment of USS Enterprise (CVAN-65) while in the Tonkin Gulf in 1967. Barry Litchfield,
USS Ponchatoula,
1966-1967
CVAN-65 Enterprise
NS0265au
100k

USS Enterprise (CVAN-65) arrives in San Francisco Bay, 6 July 1967, after her second Vietnam Cruise, "her aircraft having completed 13,435 catapult launches, flying 13,392 battle missions during 132 days of combat operations, 11,470 sorties, the ship steaming 67,630 miles within the 7th Fleet. [...] Both the ship and CVW-9 were later awarded the Navy Unit Commendation." (Quoted from DANFS, "Dictionary of American Naval Fighting Ships".)

Photos © William T. Larkins. Used with permission.
CVAN-65 Enterprise
NS0265aua
177k
Fire aboard Enterprise, January 14, 1969
CVAN-65 Enterprise
NS026510
161k

Fire aboard Enterprise, 14 January 1969, in Hawaiian waters — The massive fire started when a Zuni rocket accidentally exploded under the wing of an F-4. Some of the subsequent 18 explosions were 500-lb. bombs cooking of in multiples, leaving 20-foot holes in the armored flight deck. Losses totalled 28 dead, 343 wounded, and 15 aircraft destroyed.

(Thanks to Stan Osterbauer, who provided this information).

USN
CVAN-65 Enterprise
NS026510b
92k

View of an explosion on the flight deck of the nuclear-powered aircraft carrier USS Enterprise (CVAN-65) caused by the overheating of a Zuni rocket that triggered the detonation of other ordnance on the flight deck. This tragedy occurred while the Big E was operating off Hawaii.

Robert M. Cieri
CVAN-65 Enterprise
NS026510c
103k

Off Hawaii (14 January 1969) crewmen fight fires on the flight deck of the nuclear-powered aircraft carrier USS Enterprise (CVAN-65), after aircraft were armed and fueled for air operations. One overheated Zuni rocket was the culprit.

Robert M. Cieri
CVAN-65 Enterprise
NS026510d
111k

A view of the fire and explosions looking aft on the flight deck of the nuclear-powered aircraft carrier USS Enterprise (CVAN-65).

Robert M. Cieri
CVAN-65 Enterprise
NS026510e
119k

Clouds of black smoke rise as crew members fight the fire that broke out on the flight deck of the nuclear-powered aircraft carrier USS Enterprise (CVAN-65) while she was conducting flight operations off Hawaii. The mast of the destroyer USS Rogers (DD-876) is alongside also fighting the fire.

Robert M. Cieri
CVAN-65 Enterprise
NS026510f
176k

A view of the nuclear-powered aircraft carrier USS Enterprise (CVAN-65) underway in the Pacific Ocean showing the crew fighting a fire on the flight deck that occurred as the carrier was conducting air operations near Hawaii. The masts of the destroyer USS Rogers (DD-876) are visible on the right.

Robert M. Cieri
CVAN-65 Enterprise
NS026510g
197k

View of the still smoldering aft flight deck of the aircraft carrier USS Enterprise (CVAN-65), showing the crew manning hoses snaking further toward the scene of the most fierce area of the fire. The destroyer USS Rogers (DD-876) is visible standing-by, on the right. For her heroic efforts in fighting the huge blaze aboard the Big E, she was awarded a well-deserved Meritorious Unit Commendation (MUC).

Robert M. Cieri
CVAN-65 Enterprise
NS026510a
140k

USS Rogers (DD-876) alongside helping fight the fire, and Benjamin Stoddert (DDG-22)—upper right corner—making approach to lend assistance. (Official USN Photo).

Richard Leonhardt
CVAN-65 Enterprise
NS026510h
43k   Alex Tatchin
CVAN-65 Enterprise
NS026510i
50k
CVAN-65 Enterprise
NS026510j
63k
CVAN-65 Enterprise
NS026510l
209k

Photo # USN 1140315, by W.R. Dapper.

Charles Lamm
CVAN-65 Enterprise
NS026510k
231k

The aftermath of the disaster, seen soon after the fire was extinguished and before flight operations resumed.

Photo by PH2 Stanley C. Wycoff.

Charles Lamm
CVAN-65 Enterprise
NS026510m
183k

Aerial view of the aft flight deck of the nuclear-powered aircraft carrier USS Enterprise (CVAN-65) underway in the Pacific Ocean, showing the damage resulting from a series of fires and explosions that occurred as the carrier was conducting air operations near Hawaii. After securing from fire fighting the crew commences the task of clearing the fight deck, as they bring up "Tilly" to jettison wreckage which were once aircraft.

Robert M. Cieri
CVAN-65 Enterprise
NS026510n
212k

Another aerial view, as the helicopter circles the aft end of the flight deck showing the extent of the damage to the Big E, including a gaping hole in the armored deck caused by the explosion of a 500-lb. bomb.

Robert M. Cieri
CVAN-65 Enterprise
NS026510o
217k

A final aerial view of the starboard aft flight deck showing the damage to the nuclear-powered aircraft carrier USS Enterprise (CVAN-65). This view nearly mirrors the view of the port side. "Tilly" will soon be busy, as it stands by in the middle of the flight deck, to begin doing what it was designed to do.

Robert M. Cieri
CVAN-65 Enterprise
NS026572
139k

USS Enterprise leaving Pearl Harbor, early 1969. This photo was taken either on January 13 (the day before the fire) or in early March, after repairs that enabled the Big E to complete her 4th Vietnam deployment.

Roy "Bud" Duncan, who was aboard as a member of VA-145 "Swordsmen," notes: "After the fire, our air groups were stationed at NAS Barbers Point and joined us after we were underway. Therefore, [this] photo is our grand old ship leaving for our fateful ORI and fire probably Jan 13, morning."

© Barry Litchfield (at the time PH3, Fleet Training Group Pearl Harbor)
CVAN-65 Enterprise
NS026514
34k South China Sea, April 30, 1969. Top of her island is in the cloud cover. © Richard Leonhardt
CVAN-65 Enterprise
NS026513
57k Yellow Sea, May 1969. © Richard Leonhardt
CVAN-65, CVA-19, CVA-43
NS026583
362k

Front to back: USS Enterprise (CVAN-65), USS Hancock (CVA-19), three auxiliaries (which appear to be USS Markab (AR-23) with USS Pictor (AF-54) outboard, and USS Procyon (AF-61) forward of them), and USS Coral Sea (CVA-43) at NAS Alameda, CA, possibly in the first half of July 1969.

Robert M. Cieri

NS023467a
106k

A Vietnam cease-fire was announced on 23 January 1973 and came into effect on the 27th. The carriers USS Oriskany (CVA-34), USS Ranger (CVA-61), USS Enterprise (CVAN-65), and USS America (CVA-66) were on Yankee Station and cancelled all combat sorties.

On Sunday, 28 January 1973, all four carriers, along with a DD/DE screen, steamed together for a photo exercise.

This is Enterprise, with Carrier Air Wing (CVW) 14, as seen from Oriskany, with CVW-19.

Bob Canchola, BT,
USS Oriskany, 1971–1973

NS023467d
116k

NS023467g
126k
CVA-43 Coral Sea
NS024346
146k

Aerial view of Naval Air Station Alameda, summer of 1974. Left to right: USS Coral Sea (CVA-43), USS Hancock (CVA-19), USS Oriskany (CVA-34), and USS Enterprise (CVAN-65).

Robert M. Cieri
CVN-65, CV-43, CV-34
NS026523
157k

Left to right: USS Enterprise (CVN-65), USS Coral Sea (CV-43), USS Kansas City (AOR-3), USS Wabash (AOR-5), and USS Oriskany (CV-34) at NAS Alameda, CA, July-August 1975.

Official US Navy photo from the Naval Photographic Center, Washington, D.C.

Robert M. Cieri
CVN-65
NS026595
76k

USS Enterprise (CVN-65) underway off Point Loma, California, 21 June 1976. The Big E had been in port, San Diego, for three days, then spent 10 days conducting air operations in the Southern California (SOCAL) area before returning to Alameda, her homeport.

Robert Hurst
CVN-65
NS0265ap
806k

USS Enterprise (CVN-65) departs San Francisco Bay for a WestPac deployment, 30 July 1976. Aircraft on deck are part of Carrier Air Wing (CVW) 14: KA-6D and A-6E Intruders of VA-196 "Main Battery;" S-3A Vikings of VS-29 "Dragon Fires;" an EA-6B Prowler of VAQ-134 "Garudas;" A-7E Corsair IIs of VA-97 "Warhawks" and VA-27 "Royal Maces;" E-2B Hawkeyes of VAW-113 "Black Eagles;" SH-3D Sea King helicopters of HS-2 "Golden Falcons;" and an RA-5C Vigilante of RVAH-1 "Smokin' Tigers" partially visible abaft the island. Big E's Carrier On-board Delivery (COD) plane, a C-1B Trader, is also parked among the Air Wing "birds."

Photos © William T. Larkins. Used with permission.
CVN-65
NS0265apa
152k

(See above.) A group of F-14 Tomcats was parked aft. Note two planes camouflaged in the then new, experimental Ferris scheme: BuNo 158979 (VF-1 "Wolf Pack," modex NK100), on the elevator, and BuNo 158985 (VF-2 "Bounty Hunters," modex NK200), extreme aft.

CVN-65
NS026584
209k

Aerial bow view of USS Enterprise (CVN-65) underway, 1978. (DVIC photo id: DN-SC-86-00551).

Defense Visual Information Distribution Service
CVN-65
NS0265ba
39k

USS Enterprise (CVN-65) departs San Diego, California, 8 April 1978, on her 9th WestPac deployment (the Big E had departed her homeport, Alameda, on 4 April). Photos taken from USS Jouett (CG-29). Destroyer in photo NS0265baa is USS Agerholm (DD-826), returning from her 21st and final WestPac deployment.

Carl T. Orbann
CVN-65
NS0265baa
254k
CVN-65 Enterprise
NS026538
68k

Pearl Harbor, 23–25 April 1978.

Photo by Dr. Kenneth Hartman
CVN-65 Enterprise
NS026546
75k

Starting in 2003 this photo circulated the Internet captioned as a Navy new "Terrorist Catch and Release Program."

In fact, it was taken in October 1978, as the Big E was leaving the Philippines to return to the US for what was considered "the most extensive and highly complex overhaul" of the ship's history to date (1979–1982.) The world was not very environmentally-concerned in 1978 and this was seen as an acceptable way to get rid of an old, no longer needed car. It has been hotly argued what the brand and model of the car were — looks like it actually was a 1963 Plymouth Savoy.

Kegan Connick
CVN-65 Enterprise
NS0265ak
110k

USS Enterprise (CVN-65) docking at North Island NAS on 2 December 1978, as seen from USS Kitty Hawk (CV-63). USS Belleau Wood (LHA-3) is in background.

Richard Stiles
CVN-65 Enterprise
NS026534
104k

Underway off Southern California, 11 December 1978. Enterprise was conducting carrier qualifications and refresher operations for Carrier Air Wing 11 (CVW-11); the ship also completed her mine readiness certification two days later. Photographed by PH3 Ted Kappler.

Official U.S. Navy Photograph (# KN-27606).

Scott Dyben
CVN-65 Enterprise
NS026550
84k

"Nuclear-powered Aircraft Carrier Enterprise." (From a Russian publication).

This drawing shows Enterprise as she appeared in the 1970s, still with her original, distinctive island structure supporting the SPS-32 and SPS-33 "billboard" radar antennas and topped by her unique conical ESM/ECM array.

Alex Tatchin
Memorabilia
CVAN-65 Enterprise
NS026500
53k

Carrier Division Three, First Nuclear Powered Task Group in Combat, Vietnam, 2 December 1965. USS Enterprise (CVAN-65), with Carrier Air Wing Nine (CVW-9); USS Bainbridge (DLGN-25); USS Barry (DD-933); USS Samuel B. Roberts (DD-823).

[On 2 December 1965] "Enterprise became the first nuclear powered warship to engage in combat operations when aircraft of Attack Carrier Air Wing NINE launched 118 sorties against the Viet Cong in South Vietnam. For the rest of the month, the Big E carried out a relentless campaign against the enemy, primarily in North Vietnam, blasting military facilities, transportation networks, military storage areas, and barges and junks carrying supplies to the Communist forces in South Vietnam." Quoted from the ship's Command History for 1965.

Richard Allen, crew member May 1963 to October 1967
CVAN-65 Enterprise
NS0265aj
51k

United States Ships Enterprise, Long Beach, Bainbridge. Commander Carrier Division Two. Nuclear Task Force One. Around the World Cruise, 1964.

Operation Sea Orbit.

Richard Allen, crew member May 1963 to October 1967
CVN-65 Enterprise
NS026533
44k

USS Enterprise (CVN-65) and Carrier Air Wing 17 (CVW-17).

Mike Smolinski
CVN-65 Enterprise
NS026533a
15k USS Enterprise (CVN-65). Joe Radigan
CVN-65 Enterprise
NS026533c
19k

Riding a Classic, USS Enterprise 2011 Cruise [13 January–15 July].

Tommy Trampp
CVN-65 Enterprise
NS026533b
48k

One Last Ride, Big E, 1961–2012, 22nd & Final Combat Deployment.

Despite a widespread belief that Enterprise's final deployment was her 22nd, a careful review (July 2012) of her command history reports by resarchers and historians at the Naval Historical Foundation and the Naval History & Heritage Command showed that it was actually her 25th.

Tommy Trampp
CVN-65 Enterprise
NS0265aq
311k "Welcome Aboard" letter from the Commanding Officer (1996–1997), Captain Michael D. Malone, USN. Wolfgang Hechler
Models
CVAN-65 Enterprise
NS026573
69k Model of USS Enterprise (CVAN-65) on display at the National Naval Aviation Museum, Pensacola, Florida. Photos taken on 13 June 2008. Photos by Judson Phillips
CVAN-65 Enterprise
NS026573a
110k
CVAN-65 Enterprise
NS026573b
110k
CVAN-65 Enterprise
NS026573c
62k
CVAN-65 Enterprise
NS026573d
89k
CVAN-65 Enterprise
NS026521
74k

Left to right: Joel Rosen, President, Motion Models Inc.; Admiral James L. Holloway III, former Chief of Naval Operations (CNO, 1974–1978) and former Commanding Officer of USS Enterprise (CVAN-65, 1965–1967); Pete Papa, Motion Models Master Modeler. Permanent installation of a Motion Models-built model of Enterprise at the U.S. Naval Museum in Washington, D.C.

Courtesy of Joel Rosen, Motion Models

For more information about this ship, see:

USS ENTERPRISE CVAN-65 History
View This Vessels DANFS History Entry
(Located On The Hazegray & Underway Web Site, This Is The Main Archive For The DANFS Online Project.)
Crew Contact and Reunion Information
Date:  
Place:  
Contact:  
Address:  
Phone:  
E-mail:  
Web site: USS Enterprise CVAN/CVN-65 Association
Remarks:  

Related Links
Hazegray & Underway World Aircraft Carrier Pages By Andrew Toppan.
Official USS Enterprise (CVN-65) web site
Building the USS Enterprise in 1/350 Scale

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Last update: 30 September 2012